Australia’s all-conquering cricket girls have been reminded of the issue of their quest to efficiently defend their T20 World Cup after struggling a uncommon defeat to unfancied Ireland of their closing warm-up match in South Africa.
It could have solely been an unofficial match and the Australians have been completely happy to retire key batters whereas utilizing it as follow – however a group unaccustomed to shedding will probably have been greater than irritated to succumb in unlikely style to the Irish at Stellenbosch University on Wednesday.
Meg Lanning’s match favourites went down by three wickets, succumbing with two balls to spare as Ireland chased down their formidable 5-168 with New Zealand-born Arlene Kelly proving the underdogs’ last-over hero as they battled to 7-169.
It was Kelly’s good-looking pushed six off Tahlia McGrath with 5 balls left that basically did the harm, pushing Ireland in the direction of the 9 they wanted off the ultimate six balls.
Earlier, vice-captain Alyssa Healy, again from the calf harm she suffered in India final month, returned to Australia’s batting line-up for his or her closing hit-out, trying good with 62 off 40 balls.
McGrath made 56 off 47 earlier than, like Healey, she was ordered to retire to the pavilion to let others have an opportunity for one final aggressive knock earlier than Saturday’s competitors opener in opposition to New Zealand in Paarl.
Elysse Perry cashed in with an unbeaten, two-runs-a-ball 40 and although Beth Mooney had fallen for a golden duck, bowled by Orla Prendergast on the very first ball of the innings, Australia will need to have felt their whole could be comfortably sufficient.
But the Irish batters have been at all times up with the run charge as seven of them made double figures in swift time, led by Amy Hunter’s 26 from 14 balls, Prendergast’s 26 from 15 and Laura Delany’s essential captain’s innings of 32 off 28 by means of the center overs.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
